Tips to do the Camino
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Today we’re going to give you some tips on what foreign pilgrims need to know about managing their money on the Camino de Santiago. Generally speaking, people travelling to other countries wonder how much things actually cost at their destinations. To help you get the best value for money during your Camino, we’ve put together this list of recommendations so that you can enjoy the most comfortable experience possible without spending too much.
6 necessary tips to save on the Camino
Prepaid card
In general, pilgrims prefer not to carry large amounts of cash. This is a good way to avoid any nasty surprises, and the best way to do this without running out of money is to top up a prepaid card, such as the one we offer at Correos: it will allow you to pay at any establishment that accepts MasterCard® (practically all of them in Spain), make online payments or withdraw cash from a cash machine. The difference is that it isn’t linked to any bank account, so you can only spend the money you’ve topped up onto it.
How much does it cost per night to stay in a hostel?
Accommodation on the Camino de Santiago is extremely varied, offering options to suit all tastes. Thanks to this, pilgrims can enjoy this life experience regardless of their budget. On the Camino, we are all equal, and you won’t need to incur significant expenses to complete the journey.
Staying in a hostel is the most economical option. You’ll really feel the savings, especially if your journey takes more than 15 days. The Camino de Santiago can last up to a month if you choose one of the longer routes. This is the case with the Camino Francés, the Camino del Norte, the Vía de la Plata and the Camino Primitivo, amongst others.
Prices vary depending on the type of accommodation. They can be categorised as follows:
- Public hostels: these have a fixed price of around €10–€12 per night per person.
- Donation-based hostels: these ask for a ‘donation of your choice’; it is recommended that you leave at least around €10 per person. Bear in mind that, although they do not charge a set price, their operation depends on these donations.
- Private hostels: these have a more variable price per night, ranging from €18 to €25.
How much does it cost to stay in pensions or hotels?
Providing accurate information on the average price of hotels and guesthouses is a somewhat more difficult task. As we mentioned, the Camino de Santiago offers accommodation to suit all tastes and, when it comes to hotels, prices range from budget to luxury.
For this reason, there is no average price. If there are no hostels available or you prefer to stay in a guesthouse, you can find rooms from as little as €45 in some cases.
How much does it cost to eat on the Camino de Santiago?
The amount each pilgrim spends on food varies and depends on whether you eat in bars and restaurants or choose to buy food from shops or supermarkets.
For the latter option, many hostels offer kitchens for pilgrims’ use, although during the high season it may not be so easy to find enough space and time to cook.
The price of a set menu in eateries or restaurants is usually around €15–20, a price for which you can also have dinner in many establishments. Breakfast will cost you no more than €5–10 in almost any bar.
To keep costs down, in the afternoons you can buy fruit, nuts or other items for breakfast the following day. But be careful! Measure your portions carefully, as you won’t want to have to carry extra weight on your walks, let alone waste food.
What is a pilgrim’s daily budget?
To work out the average cost of walking the Camino de Santiago, you’ll need to add up what you plan to spend on accommodation, plus travel costs and other services such as luggage delivery, bike transport or rucksack transport.
On top of this, you’ll need to factor in food costs – the main expense for any pilgrim – and other small day-to-day extras that add up, such as going out for a drink in the evenings once you’ve finished your stage, buying souvenirs at iconic spots, or essential purchases at chemists to treat minor ailments or allergies.
Even the coins needed to use washing machines and tumble dryers will add a small extra cost.
How much does it cost to transport my rucksacks or send my luggage?
If you need to have some of your luggage transported from stage to stage so that it’s available at your accommodation every night without straining your back, you can book our Paq Mochila service, now also available from Porto.
This is a fixed cost, but not an excessive one. We want this service – just like the hostels – to enable all pilgrims who wish to do so to enjoy it, regardless of their financial means. This is particularly important for those with health issues who would be unable to walk the Camino carrying a heavy load on their backs.
If you need to send your belongings directly to a specific location, we also offer direct luggage delivery between offices from €20.95; this service includes 15 days’ storage, which can be extended to 20 days. The service is also available to pilgrims wishing to walk the Portuguese Way, with direct deliveries from Porto for €50.
How much does it cost to send a bike at the end of your Camino?
If you’re a ‘bicigrina’ or ‘bicigrino’, you’ll need to send your bike back once you’ve completed your Camino in Santiago de Compostela.
You can send your bike to the nearest post office to the airport or railway station of your choice. That way, your trusty companion will be waiting for you when you’re ready to leave.
To do this, Correos offers the Paq Bicicleta service, a bicycle transport service that allows you to send your bike from the Main Post Office in Santiago, located at Rúa do Franco, 4, less than a couple of pedal strokes from the Cathedral. By booking online, you can get everything sorted before you set off on your Camino, and on arrival you’ll simply need to pop into Correos, where we’ll provide you with suitable packaging (170x30x90cm).
How much does it cost to leave luggage at the left-luggage office in Santiago de Compostela?
If you wish to visit the Cathedral of Santiago, you will not be able to take your luggage inside. We have therefore set up a left-luggage service at our Post Office in Santiago de Compostela, located at Rúa do Franco, 4; just a 2-minute walk from the Cathedral.
Storage fees are €4 per day for rucksacks and €6 for large suitcases, €7 per day for bicycles and €1 per day for walking sticks or pilgrim’s staffs.
Is it possible to walk the Camino de Santiago without any money?
Taking all of the above into account, we can say that a pilgrim spends an average of €50–€60 a day (including food and accommodation) on the Camino de Santiago.
Doing it without any money is tricky. But it is possible to reduce this figure. Food costs are the hardest to cut back on. Bear in mind that you burn a lot of energy on the Camino, and you need to eat to replenish your energy and keep going the next day. You can always choose to buy food from the supermarket and prepare it at the hostel, as this is a cheaper option than eating out. Along the Camino, you’ll also come across locals who offer fruit and some food for free or in exchange for a small donation.
We hope this short guide helps you work out how much you’ll spend on the Camino de Santiago and that it helps you recognise fair prices in the places you pass through.
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